LETHWEI AMERICA

The Thut Ti Lethwei Club

In a tiny gym, tucked away past market stalls and down a quiet backstreet on the outskirts of Yangon, two fighters are going toe to toe. They exchange kicks, punches, elbows, and knees under the watchful eye of a veteran trainer who will slap them with a boxing mitt whenever he senses they are starting to slow down. The watchful eye belongs to Win Zin Oo, premier Lethwei Saya, founder and head coach of the renowned Thut Ti Lethwei Club.1

For the past 35 years, Saya Win has been overseeing training at the Thut Ti Lethwei Club. Behind a hidden red gate in a quiet neighborhood of Yangon lies the Thut Ti Lethwei Club. There’s a fist painted on the bright red gate. A small but distinct “Lethwei” sign to the left of the fist modestly identifies the entrance to the gym.1

Win Zin Oo turned his home into the Thut Ti (Courage) Lethwei Club in the 1980s and ever since there has been a steady procession of local Lethwei champions, aspiring fighters, fitness enthusiasts and interest martial arts students who have gathered for daily workouts under its tin roof.  “At the start we had no shelter, no ring, just a garden,” says Saya Win. “So, we had to rob my wife’s garden. It was a small, rudimentary place where people could practice.2

Yangon’s Thut Ti Lethwei Club has long been a reigning champion among aspiring fighters and interested martial arts students, with Lethwei disciples from all over the world coming here to learn the ancient art under Saya Win. Its doors are open to dedicated students who focus their energy on the practice and training of Lethwei. The club is nothing like an air-conditioned modern fitness studio; this is a raw and candid space. Corrugated iron and plastic canvas sheets protect the wooden boxing ring from wind and rain. Stacked car tires are visible on the side and punching bags that hang from the ceiling comprise just some of the boxing equipment used in the training area.3,4

In Yangon, Lethwei gyms are typically supported directly or indirectly by local businessmen. The Thut Ti Lethwi Club is the only independent gym that does have commercial support, instead, preferring to generate the majority of its income from students. Refusing to fall prey to the commercialization of Lethwei from promoters and private interests, Thut Ti continues maintains its ethical management by operating on principles that include promotion of interfaith and intercultural understanding, training Lethwei fighters and students interested in learning the ancient art, and maintaining a sustainable growth strategy. As Saya Win expresses “Anyone who is interested can experience Lethwei here, “ he explains. “Doing Lethwei isn’t only about having a strong body and learning tough techniques, but also about having a gentle mind and a kind heart.“ 4,5

The Thut Ti Lethwei Club emphasizes Lethwei for health and fitness as well as for competition. Lethwei is fast gaining popularity among fitness enthusiasts drawn to its high-intensity training sessions. A two-for-one cardio and strength workout, Lethwei targets the entire body, making it a great way to learn Myanmar’s traditional form of kickboxing and get in shape at the same time. As Win Zin Oo explains, “Lethwei can be beneficial not only for fighting but also to promote health and discipline,”. The majority of students who train at Thut Ti have no interest in competing. They practice Lethwei for fitness, self-defense, absorbing the culture, and making friends.2,3,5 

References

1 Inside a Burmese Lethwei Gym – Fightland (2015)
http://fightland.vice.com/blog/inside-a-burmese-lethwei-gym

2 Win Zin Oo Article – Inside Lethwei (2017)
https://rough.asia/analysis/inside-lethwei/

3 Get your kicks at a Myanmar lethwei class (2016)
https://www.mmtimes.com/lifestyle/22155-get-your-kicks-at-a-myanmar-lethwei-class.html

4 The Ladies of The Lethwei Ring
https://www.myanmore.com/2016/08/ladies-lethwei-ring/

5 Lethwei 
http://www.yangondirectory.com/en/my-yangon/khit-yangon/sport/item/423-lethwei.html